Jurisdiction based parameter setting for wireless transceivers

ABSTRACT

Low cost semiconductor manufacturing techniques have provided consumers with a wide range of electronic devices supporting communications according to multiple standards. These electronic devices will be deployed within many operational jurisdictions, particularly with roaming features, such as Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America and North America. However, operational compliance requirements can vary substantially with these different jurisdictions. Current electronic devices are designed, manufactured, calibrated and operated according to a specification providing compliance with broad range of operational jurisdictions despite the performance limitations this applies in many of the operational jurisdictions. Accordingly, there is provided a method of dynamically configuring the electronic device based upon a geographically based determination of the operational jurisdiction from global navigation systems data received by the electronic device. Based upon the determined operational jurisdiction, the operational parameters of a device&#39;s communication interfaces are adjusted for improving performance and efficiency of the device within these jurisdictions.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/929,884, filed on Jul. 16, 2007, the entire content of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to controlling a wireless transceiver, and moreparticularly to establishing control and performance parameters basedupon a determination of jurisdiction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, the use of wireless and RF technology has increaseddramatically in portable and hand-held units, with them not onlywidespread, but increasingly pervasive, as with their uses includingtelephony, Internet e-mail, Internet video, Internet web browsers,global positioning, photography, navigation systems, in-storenavigation, and linking peripherals to host devices. The number ofcellular telephone subscribers alone worldwide is expected to reach 3billion by the end of 2008, up from 2.1 billion in 2005, according tothe International Telecommunication Union (ITU). In 2006 the number ofcellular phone subscribers exceeded 200 million within the United Statesof America.

Similarly the devices incorporating wireless technology have expanded,and continue to so, including today not only cellular telephones, butPersonal Digital Assistants (PDAs), laptop computers, palmtop computers,gaming consoles, wireless local area networks, wireless hubs, printers,telephone headsets, portable music players, point of sale terminals,global positioning systems, inventory control systems, and even vendingmachines. These wireless devices interface to wireless infrastructuresthat can support data, voice and other services on either single ormultiple standards, and where these international standards also havegeographic aspects to providing a wireless device operating incompliance with the standard. Typical examples of wireless standards insignificant deployment today include but are not limited to:

-   -   WiFi [ANSI/IEEE Standard 802.11];    -   WiMAX [IEEE Standard 802.16];    -   Bluetooth [IEEE Standard 802.15.1];    -   ZigBee [IEEE Standard 802.15.4];    -   Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) [International        Telecommunications Union Recommendations 5.138, 5.150, and        5.280]; and    -   GSM 850/900/1800/1900 [European Telecommunications Standards        Institute (ETSI)] and it's extensions General Packet Radio        Service (GPRS) and Enhanced Datarates for GSM Evolution (EDGE).

Of these, GSM service is used by over 2 billion people across more than212 countries and territories. The ubiquity of the GSM standard makesinternational roaming practical between mobile phone operators, enablingsubscribers to use their phones in many parts of the world, with thegeographic coverage determined according to whether the cellulartelephones are dual, tri-band or quad-band. WiFi (WLAN) communicationhas also enjoyed overwhelming consumer acceptance worldwide, generallyas specified in IEEE 802.11a (operating in the frequency range of4900-5825 MHz) or IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g specifications(operating in the range 2400-2485 MHz). These standards seem destined tosurvive and thrive in the future, for example with the IEEE 802.11n MIMOphysical layer. The 802.11 value proposition is the provision of lowcost, moderate data communication/transport rates and simple networkfunction.

WiMAX (WMAN) communication is also preparing to deploy massivelyworldwide, especially as IEEE 802.16e (operating at two frequencyranges, the first being 2300-2690 MHz, and the second of 3300-3800 MHz).The IEEE 802.16e value proposition is the provision of moderate cost anddata communication/transport rates with high quality of service, whichrequires higher system performance and complexity.

Whilst the general systems are covered by umbrella specifications, suchas IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), and GSM, the standards provide for variations inperformance that may be at the continental, country, and regional level.For example, GSM utilizes the 900 MHz/1800 MHz bands across Europewhilst coverage in North America exploits the 850 MHz/1900 MHz bands dueto legacy infrastructure operating in these other bands. Similarly, WiFi(IEEE 802.11) is strictly 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g with 802.11n indevelopment. IEEE 802.11a operating in the frequency range of 4900-5825MHz has regional variations such that Japan provides 11 channels withintwo frequency bands, Europe 19 channels within 2 frequency bands, andNorth America 23 channels across 4 frequency bands.

What is not generally evident to even so-called knowledgeable users isthat whilst some frequency bands are common, for example channels 36-48,52-64, and 102-140 in both North America and Europe, the performancespecifications for the transmitters within the two territories aredifferent in respect of allowed maximum transmitter output power, bandedge rejection to neighboring channels, and levels of harmonics.Accordingly, a manufacturer of an electronic device capable of operatingwithin both jurisdictions, and transferred arbitrarily between them,must make the transmitter compliant to both. Within current high volumecommodity electronics, an efficient solution is to provide a device thatis compliant to the minimum common overlap within the specifications ofthe two jurisdictions.

For example, consider an electronic device operating according to IEEE802.11a, and the sub-set of channels 36-64, having centre frequenciesbetween 5180 MHz and 5320 MHz. For channels 36 to 48 in North America,FCC regulations as described in CFR47, part 15, section 15.407, providefor a maximum conducted transmitter output power of +16 dBm, and onchannels 52-64 an output power of +23 dBm. In contrast, Europe providesa maximum output power of +23 dBm EIRP for all these channels. Sinceantenna gains are approximately 4 dBi for most 802.11a radios, themaximum allowed transmit power in Europe will therefore be approximately19 dBm. Hence, designing the system to ensure compliance to channels36-64 in both jurisdictions results in establishing the maximum outputpower of the transmitter at +16 dBm, since the selection of the channelthat the device will employ will depend not only upon which jurisdictionit is within but also local infrastructure deployed and current channelassignments. As such, the device will be operating in Europe at 3 dBlower output power, and in North America for channels 52-64 at 7 dBlower output power than specifications allow. The result is a devicethat, whilst compliant and operating in all jurisdictions, will providethe user with either reduced range from a base station, increased deadzones from lack of available base stations, or reduced data rates fordata transfer.

Clearly, whilst the manufacturer trades optimum performance within eachjurisdiction for simplicity of manufacture, global distribution ofsingle common assembly, and confidence in compliance with thejurisdictions, the user suffers unnecessary performance limitationsaffecting their use of the electronic device, wireless electronics, etcin general and potentially reduced satisfaction with the manufacturers'brand.

It would therefore be desirable to provide an electronic device toautomatically determine the jurisdiction under which it is currentlyoperating, and to therefore adjust the control settings of the wirelesstransmitter accordingly for improved performance, whilst ensuringcompliance with local jurisdiction regulations and requirements.Further, it would be advantageous for the electronic device to do sowithout interacting with the local network to either avoid non-complianttransmissions during set-up within a new jurisdiction or allow existingcommunications to continue without interruption as the jurisdictionchanges with the users' movements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention there is provided a method comprisingproviding a wireless circuit operating according to a first wirelessstandard, the wireless circuit comprising at least one of a transmitterand a receiver. The method further comprising providing a wirelessreceiver for receiving a location signal, the wireless receiverco-located proximate to the wireless circuit and operating according toa second other wireless standard and determining at least an indicationof an operational jurisdiction of the wireless circuit in dependenceupon at least the location signal. The method then modifying at least anaspect of the wireless circuit in dependence upon at least thedetermined operational jurisdiction.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention there is provideda method comprising providing a circuit supporting data communicationsaccording to a communications standard. The method further comprisingproviding a wireless receiver for receiving a location signal, thewireless receiver proximate to the circuit and operating according to afirst wireless standard and determining at least an indication of anoperational jurisdiction of the circuit in dependence upon at least thelocation signal. The method then configuring an aspect of the datacommunications of the circuit in dependence upon at least the determinedoperational jurisdiction.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention the method independence of the determined operational jurisdiction provides formodifying an aspect of the wireless circuit. The method providing foradjusting at least one of a bandwidth of a tunable filter, a centerfrequency of a tunable filter, the rejection qualities of the filter,the loss of the filter, an output power of an amplifier, the magnitudeof out-of-band emissions from the amplifier, a bias control voltageapplied to an amplifier, the susceptibility of the amplifier tosaturation, the robustness of the amplifier to overload conditions, thelinearity of the amplifier, the noise figure of the amplifier, thelinearity of the down conversion mixer, the input dynamic range of theanalog to digital converter, the spurious dynamic range of the analog todigital converter, the gain of the amplifier, the correlation gain ofthe receiver, the number of correlation fingers processing the signal,and the distribution between hardware and software correlation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described inconjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the maximum output power of a wireless transmitteroperating according to IEEE 802.11a in the 5 GHz band for three regionaljurisdictions.

FIG. 2 illustrates the maximum out-of-band transmission level for awireless transmitter operating according to IEEE 802.11a within the 5GHz band for three regional jurisdictions.

FIG. 3 illustrates the rejection required for signals out-of-band for awireless transmitter operating according to IEEE 802.11a within the 5GHz band for three regional jurisdictions.

FIG. 4 illustrates the rejection required for second and third harmonicsignals for a wireless transmitter operating according to IEEE 802.11awithin the 5 GHz band for three regional jurisdictions.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary spectral mask for an IEEE 802.11gtransmitter.

FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary transmit spectral mask for an IEEE802.11a transmitter.

FIG. 6B illustrates an exemplary out-of-band spectral mask for an IEEE802.11a transmitter.

FIG. 7A illustrates a prior art approach to pre-loading configurationinformation for a wireless device based upon a current location and aplanned trip.

FIG. 7B illustrates a prior art approach of adjusting an operatingfrequency of an uncontrolled wireless device in response to geographicalinformation.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the invention in respectof automatically configuring a wireless electronic device forjurisdiction compliance in response to a determination of a localjurisdiction.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the invention forjurisdiction compliance applied to a WiMAX IEEE 802.16 transmitter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 shown is a first graphical representation 100 ofpart of the IEEE 802.11a specifications in respect of the maximum outputpower of a wireless transmitter operating in the 5 GHz band for threeregional jurisdictions, North America, Europe and Japan. Accordingly,considering the Japanese jurisdiction there is a Japan Band A 110covering 4.88 GHz-5.12 GHz, and a Japan Band B 130 covering 5160-5240MHz with a maximum output power of +22 dBm EIRP. Assuming a 4 dBiantenna gain, this is equivalent to +18 dBm conducted transmit power.

Overlapping in frequency range the Japan Band B 130 are North AmericaU-NII-1 120 and Europe Band A 140. Considering initially the NorthAmerica U-NII-1 120 then this covers 5.15 GHz to 5.25 GHz and provides amaximum output power for a compliant transmitter of +16 dBm, whilstEurope Band A covers operation within the frequency range 5.15 GHz to5.35 GHz with maximum power +19 dBm. Finally, within this grouping isNorth America U-NII-2 150 covering 5.25 GHz to 5.35 GHz and providingmaximum output power of +23 dBm. As a result of the overlapping bandsand power output limitations, an electronic device operating atcontrolled channel 48 (5.240 GHz) and compliant with +16 dBm output issacrificing 2 dB and 3 dB increases in possible output as the user takesthe electronic device to Japan and Europe, respectively. For the nextcontrolled channel, being channel 52 (5.260 GHz), the existing prior artdevices, as discussed below in respect of FIGS. 7A and 7B, would beconfigured for +16 dBm output, such that now, not only does theelectronic device sacrifice the same 2 dB and 3 dB in respect ofdeployment in Japan and Europe, but it is also sacrificing a 7 dB powerincrease in operation within regions providing North America U-NII-2 150coverage.

Completing the regional standards for IEEE 802.11a in the 5 GHz band asshown in FIG. 1 are Europe Band B 160 covering 5.47 GHz to 5.725 GHzwith maximum output +26 dBm (assuming 4 dBi antenna gain, with a 30 dBmEIRP limit), North America Band U-NII-2.5 170 for 5.50 GHz-5.70 GHz atmaximum +23 dBm, and North America U-NII-3 180 for 5.725 to 5.825 GHz ata significantly higher output power of +29 dBm. Accordingly, it would beevident that existing implementations of electronics devices forcompliance to IEEE 802.11a in North America would provide compliance forNorth America U-NII-1 120 and whilst sacrificing a very significant 13dB of output power available when operating in North America U-NII-3180.

Second graphical representation 200, shown in FIG. 2, depicts theout-of-band signal (OOB) limits for a wireless transmitter operating inthe same three regional jurisdictions. Accordingly, this shows thatcompliance to regional jurisdictions for worldwide regulatoryspecifications is not solely about providing a transmitter with outputpower at maximum allowable output for each band within a specificjurisdiction. Many other aspects of the transmitter and resultingtransmitted signal must be considered. As shown in the second graphicalrepresentation 200, the upper edge OOB limits are plotted as a functionof frequency for the three regional jurisdictions of North America,Europe and Japan for consistency with FIG. 1. Accordingly, NorthAmerican Lower Edge OOB 210 is approximately −47 dBm/MHz within NorthAmerica U-NII-1 120, North America U-NII-2 150 and North AmericaU-NII-2.5 170 but rises to −33 dBm/MHz for North America U-NII-3 180. Incontrast, North American Upper Edge OOB 220 is approximately −47 dBm/MHzwithin North America U-NII-1 120 and North America U-NII-2 150 but risesto −33 dBm/MHz for North America U-NII-2.5 170 and North America U-NII-3180.

Japan specifies for Japan Lower Edge OOB 250 as −30 dBm/MHz for bothJapan Band A 110 and Japan Band B 130, and Japan Upper Edge OOB 260 as−30 dBm/MHz for Japan Band A 110 and −41 dBm/MHz for Japan Band B 130(assuming 4 dBi antenna gain). In contrast, Europe is relativelystraightforward requiring compliance to approximately −32 dBm/MHz forboth Europe Lower Edge OOB 230 and Europe Upper Edge OOB 240 for bothEurope Band A 140 and Europe Band B 160 (assuming 4 dBi antenna gain).

Now referring to FIG. 3, there is provided a third graphicalrepresentation 300 of the IEEE 802.11a specifications which translatesthe lower edge and upper edge OOB requirements of second graphicalrepresentation 200 into upper and lower edge rejection specificationsfor the transmitter. Accordingly, North American Lower Edge Rejection310 is approximately −48 dBr within North America U-NII-1 120,approximately −55 dBr in North America U-NII-2 150 and North AmericaU-NII-2.5 170, and drops to approximately −47 dBr North America U-NII-3180. In contrast, North American Upper Edge Rejection 320 isapproximately −48 dBr within North America U-NII-1 120, approximately−55 dBr in North America U-NII-2 150 and North America U-NII-2.5 170,before reducing to −47 dBr in North America U-NII-3 180.

In respect of the regional jurisdiction of Japan, the appropriatesections of Japanese regulatory requirements require a Japan Lower EdgeRejection 350 as −35 dBr for both Japan Band A 110, −33 dBr for JapanBand B 130, and then Japan Upper Edge Rejection 360 as −35 dBr for JapanBand A 110 and −44 dBr for Japan Band B 130. Finally, Europe requiresthat both Europe Lower Edge Rejection 230 and Europe Upper EdgeRejection 240 are approximately −36 dBr in Europe Band A 140 andapproximately −43 dBr in Europe Band B 160 respectively.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is provided a fourth graphical representation400 of another aspect of the regulatory requirements for transmitters.Here, FIG. 4 illustrates the rejection required for second and thirdharmonic signals for a wireless transmitter operating according to IEEE802.11a within the 5 GHz band for three regional jurisdictions. Suchsecond and third harmonic signals directly affect the interference suchan IEEE 802.11a transmitter causes within other receivers. Plotted isNorth American 2nd Harmonic Rejection 410 which is approximately −31 dBrwithin North America U-NII-1 120, approximately −38 dBr for channels52/56 in North America U-NII-2 150 rising to approximately −52 dBr forchannels 60/64 of the same band, approximately −52 dBr for North AmericaU-NII-2.5 170, and approximately −58 dBr for North America U-NII-3 180.In contrast, North American 3rd Harmonic Rejection 420 is approximately−43 dBr within North America U-NII-1 120, approximately −50 dBr in NorthAmerica U-NII-2 150, and −36 dBr within North America U-NII-2.5 170, andapproximately −42 dBr in North America U-NII-3 180.

In respect of the regional jurisdiction of Japan, the appropriateregulatory requirements specify a Japan 2nd Harmonic Rejection 450 as−32 dBr for Japan Band A 110 and approximately −30 dBr for Japan Band B130, and then Japan 3rd Harmonic Rejection 460 is approximately −30 dBrfor Japan Band A 110 and −28 dBr for Japan Band B 130. Finally, Europerequires that both Europe 2nd Harmonic Rejection 430 as approximately−33 dBr in Europe Band A 140 and approximately −40 dBr in Europe Band B160 respectively, whilst and Europe 3rd Harmonic Rejection 440 isapproximately −31 dBr in Europe Band A 140 and approximately −38 dBr inEurope Band B 160 respectively.

Accordingly, the requirements for providing an output signal from awireless transmitter have many aspects including those presented suprain respect of allowed frequencies, maximum allowable output power, upperand lower band edge rejection, and second and third harmonic rejection.As a result, it is necessary for the equipment vendor to establishspectral masks within which the transmitter operates. An exemplaryspectral emission mask template 500 for OOB compliance is shown if FIG.5 for determining IEEE 802.11g transmitter compliance. As shown withinthe spectral mask template 500 the North America spectral mask 510plots, as a function of frequency offset from the channel centrefrequency, the maximum allowable OOB emissions from the IEEE 802.11gtransmitter. Compliance within the North American jurisdiction requiresthat this North America spectral mask 510 is met when replicated ontoeach IEEE 802.11g channels, which for the North America regionaljurisdiction have a maximum allowable transmitter output power is +30dBm. Also shown in FIG. 5 is a first power spectrum 540 representing theemission from a transmitter at an output power of +17 dBm, where thetransmitter OOB signal exceeds the North America spectral mask 510 inthe region ±32 MHz to ±22 MHz.

Second and third power spectra 530 and 520 show the resulting change inspectral emissions at +18 dBm and +19 dBm respectively. It is evidenttherefore that the transmitter herein presented cannot operate at outputpowers above approximately +16 dBm and maintain compliance to the NorthAmerica spectral mask 510. However, the transmitter would be compliantat maximum European regional allowed output of +17 dBm to the spectralmask for Europe, not shown for clarity, wherein an OOB rejection of −33dBr is required. The transmitter is also compliant at +19 dBm, themaximum output power under jurisdiction in Japan (assuming 4 dBi antennagain), wherein minimum allowable OOB rejection is −30 dBr.

Now referring to FIG. 6A illustrated is an exemplary 802.11a (hereafterreferred to as ‘11a’) transmit spectral mask 650 for an IEEE 802.11atransmitter. Accordingly, the 11a mask 660 is shown together with atypical 11a transmitter spectrum 670. The 11a mask 660 may be summarizedas follows below in Table 1:

TABLE 1 IEEE 802.11a Transmitter Spectral Mask Maximum Offset/MHzSignal/dBr ±9 0 ±11 −20 ±20 −28 ±30 −40

However, as evidenced supra in respect of upper and lower emissionspresented in respect of FIGS. 2 and 3, an emission mask for an IEEE802.11a channel will vary according to the channel number. Also, atypical 802.11a OOB emission mask 610 as presented in FIG. 6B as part ofthe 802.11a OOB emissions graph 600 may exhibit asymmetry and additionalstructure to the 802.11a transmitter spectral mask 660. The 802.11a OOBemission mask 610 may be summarized as follows below in Table 2.

TABLE 2 IEEE 802.11a Transmitter OOB Emission Mask Maximum FrequencyOffset Signal/dBr of Mask Transition/MHz Lower Upper −40 −55.1 −48.1 −30−48.1 −32.9 −28 −32.9 0 +25 0 −42.8 +28 −42.8 −43.9 +30 −43.9 −55.1

Accordingly, the requirements for a wireless transmitter varysubstantially according to the jurisdiction within which the device isoperating. As indicated supra the default, and simplest solution for thewireless device designer, is to provide a transmitter meeting thenarrowest overlap in regional specifications. However, whilst thisallows global roaming of the wireless device in compliance with theregional jurisdiction, it does so by sacrificing tradeoffs inperformance within the other jurisdictions. Within the prior art,limited approaches to providing configuration of a wireless device basedupon jurisdiction have been presented. A first example being thatpresented by J. T. Howard in patent GB 2,371,713 “Method and Apparatusfor Pre-Configuring a Wireless Communication Device for Future Operationin a Distant Wireless Communication System” which addresses the issue oftelecommunications operators establishing roaming arrangements withoperators of different systems to enable their subscribers to operate ona different wireless access technology at the subscribers arrival withina new operators system.

Now referring to FIG. 7A there is shown a pre-configuration system 700according to Howard for pre-configuring a wireless device 709 accordingto the destination and establishing appropriate entries into the newoperators' system management systems. The pre-configuration system 700has the user's wireless device 709 in normal wireless contact with awireless base station 713A which is interconnected via a wide areanetwork 713, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) network, to the homesystem 701 to which the user is currently registered. Additionally, thewireless device 709 is in wireless contact with a network configurationadaptor 703, which is a local wireless interconnection. The networkconfiguration adaptor 703 is also interconnected via the wide areanetwork 713 to a common carrier transportation system (CCTS) 711 andthree regional carriers 705, 706, and 707.

In operation the user of wireless device 709 intends to make a journeythat will remove them from the jurisdiction of their home system 701 andinto that of first regional carrier 705 which has differentconfiguration requirements to those of their home system 701. The user,for example, checks in at an airline terminal of an airport for a flightforming a portion of their journey. In doing so the user brings thewireless device 709 into range of the network configuration adaptor 703which identifies the wireless device 709 and retrieves via the wide areanetwork 713, from the users home system 701, stored personal data 717relating to the user, for example their full name and passport number.This stored personal data 717 is then passed via the wide area network713 to the CCTS 711 whereupon their itinerary 723 is retrievedindicating that they are about to board a flight from Rome, Italy toNagasaki, Japan. The network configuration adaptor 703 thereforeidentifies this as an intended regional jurisdiction change andidentifies that their home system 701 has a carrier agreement with firstregional carrier 705, and retrieves from first regional carrier 705appropriate configuration information 705A. This configurationinformation 705A is then used by network configuration adaptor 703 totransfer configuration settings to the wireless device 709.

However, Howard only teaches to the provision of necessary inter-carrierbilling information, and establishment of frequency plans, such as theshift from IEEE 802.11a Europe, having two bands Europe Band A 140 andEurope Band B 160, to IEEE 802.11a Japan, having two different frequencybands, namely Japan Band A 110 and Japan Band B 130. In respect of thetransmitter and receiver within the wireless device 709, the onlyadjustments are amending frequency allocation tables. As such, theapproach outlined in GB 2,371,713 does not overcome the provisioning ofthe transmitter with a spectral output matching the narrowest overlap ofall regional variations. Accordingly, there is no adjustment to thecontrol parameters of the amplifier, filter, or other elements of thewireless device 709 that shape the emission spectrum or adjust outputpower. Further Howard, does not discuss the multiple frequency bandswithin each new jurisdiction and the potential for different transmitterconfigurations within each.

A second approach from the prior art is presented in respect of wirelessmaster slave network 750 in FIG. 7B as presented by A. K. Westerberg (USPatent 2005/0146460) “Functional Assembly with Automatic AdaptableWireless Characteristics”. Accordingly shown is a GPS provider 724 whichis in wireless contact with a master controller 714, which is itself inwireless contact with slave units 726. As taught by Westerberg, themaster controller 714 and slave units 726 are in communication solelywith one another via master antenna 714B and slave antenna 726Aaccording to a format such as an uncontrolled frequency within the ISMbands. The GPS provider 724 providing wireless GPS coordinate data tothe master controller 714 via master GPS antenna 714A according toanother other communication standard. The exemplary embodiment being anartificial pacemaker and the pacemaker controller.

As such, in operation the master controller 714 receives GPS coordinatedata from the GPS provider 724. The master controller establishes thatthe latest coordinate data indicates that the user of the artificialpacemaker, not shown for clarity, but interconnected to a slave unit726, has moved from one jurisdiction to another. If the currentfrequency transmitted from the master antenna 714B and received by slaveantenna 726A, used to provide data to the slave unit 726 from the mastercontroller 724, matches a frequency of known controlled transmissionsystems within the new jurisdiction then the master controllerdetermines a new transmission frequency not covered by the new regionstandards and provides this to the slave unit 726 such that they adjustin an orderly manner to the new frequency.

It would be apparent therefore that the mapping of controlledfrequencies within the master controller 724 need not be any more than asimple table of frequencies associated with that jurisdiction since allthe master controller seeks to do is avoid these. Westerberg does notconsider adjusting any other aspect of transmitter in the mastercontroller 714 in response to the changes in GPS coordinate data.

As such, none of the prior art solutions address adjusting theoperational characteristics of a transmitter within a wireless device toprovide not only compliance to local jurisdiction regulations but alsomaximizing performance of the wireless device to the limits of theseregulations. For example, adjusting the transmitter output power as theuser moves from Japan to Europe, or adjusting output power as they movefrom a region operating according to North America Band U-NII-3 180 toNorth America Band U-NII-1 120 or vice-versa.

Illustrated in FIG. 8 is an exemplary flow chart according to anembodiment of the invention in respect of automatically configuring awireless electronic device for jurisdiction compliance in response to adetermination of a local jurisdiction. At step 810 the wireless deviceis powered up and a global location established using a GlobalNavigation Satellite System (GNSS) within the wireless device at step820. Using the GNSS coordinates, the process running within theelectronic device performs a query at step 830 as to whether to make aninternal or external determination of the jurisdiction based radiooperation parameters.

If an internal determination is selected then the process moves forwardto step 840 wherein a look-up table is used to determine the radiooperational parameters applicable based upon the jurisdiction related tothe GNSS coordinates. From step 840 upon retrieving the information fromthe look-up table the process moves forward to step 860 wherein adecision is made to prompt the user for a confirmation of making thenecessary changes or whether they are to be automatically performed. Ifthe decision at step 830 had been external query then the wirelessdevice would trigger a query signal to be sent from the wireless deviceto local base stations prompting at least one of a plurality ofpotentially simultaneously accessible base stations to transferconfiguration information based upon at least the GNSS data of thewireless device. A base station may, for example, support devicessimultaneously within two jurisdictions, for example close to a borderof two countries, or where the base station has multiple antennaesupporting different wireless standards or bands of a single wirelessstandard. Such opportunistic establishment being beneficial inmulti-standard electronic devices and ad-hoc networks.

Upon receiving from the base station the necessary jurisdiction data,the process would then also move forward to step 860 wherein a decisionis made whether to prompt the user for confirmation or to have themperformed automatically. If the decision is to perform such adjustmentsautomatically then the process moves to step 890 and operationparameters are automatically adjusted, examples including, but notlimited to, output power of transmitter, switching in or out differentdrivers or power amplifiers, and switching in different software datacoding to match local standards. Alternatively, depending upontransmitter configuration other options exist such as switching indifferent bandwidths of transmission, changing the bandwidth of a poweramplifier or switching in different tuning for the power amplifierthereby making the transmitter more efficient in some jurisdictions.Whilst the embodiments are described predominantly in respect oftransmitters, similar tuning options exist within receivers such asoptionally reducing scanning range of the tuner to narrow ranges,thereby improving efficiency and potentially reducing channel find time.

If, however, the user at step 860 selects confirmation of the parametersetting then the process moves to step 870 wherein the user is promptedto confirm or adjust parameters. In some instances, the user mayoptionally be prompted to select one wireless standard from a plurality,if for example the electronic device supports IEEE 802.11a and IEEE802.11g and base stations for each are within range. Upon the userproviding a simple selection of appropriate service the process moves tostep 800 and finishes setting the electronic device configuration. Ifthe user chooses to adjust specific parameters or select a sub-set of aspecific standard then the process moves from step 870 to step 880wherein the user inputs the necessary information before the processmoves to step 800 and finishes.

From step 800 the process closes down the configuration setting processand moves to step 895 wherein a new location is extracted using the GNSSreceiver. At step 897 a decision is made as to whether the jurisdictionhas changed, if not the process loops back to step 895 and repeats alocation determination using the GNSS receiver. If a jurisdiction changeis detected then the process moves to step 830 and repeats the processoutlined supra.

It would be apparent that some steps described as exclusive options mayalternatively be performed in a predetermined sequence, such as using aninternal look-up table to determine most of the jurisdiction parametersbut poling the station for specific frequency information. Optionally,the look-up table may be sub-band specific, and may be subject toperiodic updating using the transceiver within the electronic device.Also, whilst the process loops through steps 895 and 897 within theexemplary flow chart the loop may additionally contain a delay such thatthe jurisdiction is periodically checked. Optionally, the delay may beadjustable according to the determined location of the wireless devicein respect of a boundary between jurisdictions, for example increasinglocation checks closer to the boundary.

Now referring to FIG. 9 there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention for jurisdiction compliance applied to a WiMAX IEEE 802.16transmitter 900. As shown, the WiMAX IEEE 802.16 transmitter 900 has afirst antenna 910 electrically connected to a first input port 900A, andtherein to a GNSS receiver 930. The GNSS receiver 930 is electricallyconnected to a host controller 960 such that the WiMAX IEEE 802.16transmitter 900 can ascertain the necessary location information. TheWiMAX IEEE 802.16 transmitter 900 has a second antenna 920 electricallyconnected to a first bidirectional port 900B and therein to WiMAX radio970. The WiMAX radio 970 comprises receiver 972 and transmitter 974which are both connected to WiMAX transceiver processing circuit 980.The WiMAX transceiver processing circuit 980 being electricallyconnected to first output port 900D, to provide the processed datareceived by the receiver 972, and second input port 900E to receive thedata for subsequent transmission by the transmitter 974.

Each of the receiver 972 and transmitter 974 has electrical connectionsto the host controller 960 to receive configuration setting signals. Inoperation, the host controller 960, having obtained a location from theGNSS receiver 930, interfaces to a jurisdiction look-up table storedwithin jurisdiction look-up table memory 950. Based upon the retrievedjurisdiction information, the host controller determines whether toretrieve data from the jurisdiction look-up table or control operationparameter block 940 to provide the requisite adjustment signaling to thereceiver 972 and transmitter 974. Alternatively, as described supra inrespect of FIG. 8, the host controller seeks user input, in which eventthe host controller interacts with other elements of the host electronicdevice, not shown for clarity, via the second bidirectional port 900C.

It would be apparent that the WiMAX IEEE 802.16 transmitter 900 maycontain additional transceivers supporting other wireless standards,including but not limited to IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g, Bluetooth, andGSM. Such additional transceivers may be connected to the same secondantenna 920 or alternatively have dedicated antenna, or be commoned to athird antenna, not shown for clarity.

Numerous other embodiments may be envisaged without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method to configure a wireless electronicdevice for jurisdiction compliance, the method comprising: providing afirst wireless circuit configured to operate according to a firstwireless standard, the first wireless circuit including at least one ofa first transmitter and a first receiver; providing a second wirelesscircuit configured to operate according to a second wireless standard,the second wireless circuit including at least one of a secondtransmitter and a second receiver, the second wireless standard beingdifferent from the first wireless standard; providing a wirelessreceiver configured to operate according to a third wireless standardand to periodically receive location signals, the wireless receiverlocated proximate to the first and second wireless circuits, thelocation signals being indicative of a physical location of the wirelessreceiver, the third wireless standard being different from the first andthe second wireless standards; receiving a first location signal fromthe wireless receiver; determining an operational jurisdiction independence upon the first location signal; enabling at least one of thefirst wireless circuit and the second wireless circuit in dependenceupon the operational jurisdiction to provide an enabled wirelesscircuit; modifying an aspect of the enabled wireless circuit independence upon the operational jurisdiction; delaying processing of asecond location signal received by the wireless receiver by anadjustable amount based on the physical location of the wirelessreceiver as indicated by the first location signal; and decreasing theadjustable amount when the physical location of the wireless receiver asindicated by the first location signal is close to a boundary betweenthe operational jurisdictions.
 2. A method comprising: providing a firstcircuit supporting data communications according to a firstcommunications standard; providing a second circuit supporting datacommunications according to a second communications standard, the secondcommunications standard being different from the first communicationstandard; providing a wireless receiver to periodically receive locationsignals, the wireless receiver being proximate to the first and secondcircuits and operating according to a third wireless standard, thelocation signals being indicative of a physical location of the wirelessreceiver and independent of a location of any wireless network devicelocal to the wireless receiver and physically uncoupled from thewireless receiver, the third wireless standard being different from thefirst and the second communications standards; receiving a firstlocation signal from the wireless receiver; determining an operationaljurisdiction in dependence upon the first location signal andindependent of a location of any wireless network device local to thewireless receiver and physically uncoupled from the wireless receiver;enabling at least one of the first circuit and the second circuit independence upon one or more operational requirements of the operationaljurisdiction to provide an enabled circuit; and configuring an aspect ofdata communications of the enabled circuit in dependence upon at leastone of the operational requirements of the operational jurisdiction;delaying processing of a second location signal received by the wirelessreceiver by an adjustable amount based on the physical location of thewireless receiver as indicated by the first location signal; anddecreasing the adjustable amount when the physical location of thewireless receiver as indicated by the first location signal is close toa boundary between the operational jurisdictions.
 3. The method of claim1 wherein the wireless receiver includes a Global Navigation SatelliteSystem (GNSS) receiver.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the locationsignal is independent of a location of any wireless network device localto the wireless receiver and physically uncoupled from the wirelessreceiver.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining thephysical location of the wireless receiver in dependence upon thelocation signal.
 6. The method of claim 5 further comprising accessing alook-up table in dependence upon the physical location to retrieve anindication of the operational jurisdiction.
 7. The method of claim 6wherein the look-up table includes at least one entry associated with atleast one of a plurality of operational jurisdictions, each entryassociated with data relating to a range of physical locations coveredby the associated operational jurisdiction.
 8. The method of claim 7further comprising retrieving indications of at least two possibleoperational jurisdictions from the look-up table.
 9. The method of claim8 further comprising selecting the indication of the operationaljurisdiction by at least one of user input, stored personal dataassociated with a user of a device including the enabled circuit, and apredetermined aspect of wireless communications with each operationaljurisdiction.
 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising determiningfor each operational jurisdiction at least a measure of wirelesscommunications with the enabled circuit and selecting the best measure.11. The method of claim 2 wherein the wireless receiver includes aGlobal Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver.
 12. The method ofclaim 2 further comprising determining the physical location of thewireless receiver in dependence upon the location signal.
 13. The methodof claim 12 further comprising accessing a look-up table in dependenceupon the physical location to retrieve an indication of the operationaljurisdiction.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the look-up tableincludes at least one entry associated with at least one of a pluralityof operational jurisdictions, each entry associated with data relatingto a range of physical locations covered by the associated operationaljurisdiction.
 15. The method of claim 14 further comprising retrievingindications of at least two possible operational jurisdictions from thelook-up table.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising selectingthe indication of the operational jurisdiction by at least one of userinput, stored personal data associated with a user of a device includingthe enabled circuit, an operating mode of the device including theenabled circuit, and a predetermined aspect of data communications witheach operational jurisdiction.
 17. The method of claim 16 furthercomprising determining for each operational jurisdiction at least ameasure of data communications with the enabled circuit and selectingthe best measure.
 18. The method of claim 2 wherein configuring theaspect includes at least one of adjusting an output power of atransmitter, changing a driver circuit; changing a power amplifiercircuit, and changing software data coding.
 19. A wireless electronicdevice for jurisdiction compliance comprising: a first circuitsupporting data communications according to a first communicationsstandard; a second circuit supporting data communications according to asecond communications standard, the second communications standard beingdifferent from the first communication standard; a wireless receiverconfigured to periodically receive location signals, the wirelessreceiver being proximate to the first and second circuits and operatingaccording to a third wireless standard, the location signals beingindicative of a physical location of the wireless receiver andindependent of a location of any wireless network device local to thewireless receiver and physically uncoupled from the wireless receiver,the third wireless standard being different from the first and thesecond communications standards; a look-up table configured to determinean operational jurisdiction based on a physical location of the wirelessreceiver indicated by a first location signal, at least one of the firstcircuit and the second circuit enabled based on one or more operationalrequirements of the operational jurisdiction to provide an enabledcircuit, an aspect of data communications of the enabled circuitconfigured based on at least one of the operational requirements of theoperational jurisdiction; and an adjustable delay configured to delayprocessing of a second location signal from the wireless receiver by anadjustable amount based on the physical location of the wirelessreceiver as indicated by the first location signal, the adjustableamount decreasing when the physical location of the wireless receiver asindicated by the first location signal is close to a boundary betweenthe operational jurisdictions.
 20. The wireless electronic device ofclaim 19 wherein the wireless receiver includes a Global NavigationSatellite System (GNSS) receiver.
 21. The wireless electronic device ofclaim 19 wherein the look-up table includes at least one entryassociated with at least one of a plurality of operationaljurisdictions, each entry associated with data relating to a range ofphysical locations covered by the associated operational jurisdiction.22. The wireless electronic device of claim 19 wherein the look-up tableincludes at least two possible operational jurisdictions based on thephysical location of the wireless receiver indicated by the firstlocation signal.
 23. The wireless electronic device of claim 22 whereinthe determined operational jurisdiction is based at least in part onuser input.
 24. The wireless electronic device of claim 22 wherein thedetermined operational jurisdiction is based at least in part on storedpersonal data associated with a user.
 25. The wireless electronic deviceof claim 22 wherein the determined operational jurisdiction is based atleast in part on an aspect of wireless communications associated witheach possible operational jurisdiction.
 26. The wireless electronicdevice of claim 22 further comprising a measure of wirelesscommunications for the enabled circuit for each possible operationaljurisdiction, the determined operational jurisdiction based at least inpart on a comparison of the measures of wireless communications for theenabled circuit.
 27. The wireless electronic device of claim 19 whereinan output power of a transmitter of the enabled circuit is adjustedbased at least in part on one of the operational requirements of theoperational jurisdiction.
 28. The wireless electronic device of claim 19wherein a driver circuit of the enabled circuit is changed based atleast in part on one of the operational requirements of the operationaljurisdiction.
 29. The wireless electronic device of claim 19 wherein apower amplifier circuit of the enabled circuit is changed based at leastin part on one of the operational requirements of the operationaljurisdiction.
 30. The wireless electronic device of claim 19 whereinsoftware data coding of the enabled circuit is changed based at least inpart on one of the operational requirements of the operationaljurisdiction.
 31. The wireless electronic device of claim 19 wherein theadjustable amount increases when the physical location of the wirelessreceiver as indicated by the first location signal is far from theboundary between the operational jurisdictions.